Obesity

A two-part, four-article symposium

Symposium coordinator

Michael D. Jensen, MD
Professor of Medicine
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Endocrine Research Unit
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota

VOL 114 / NO 6 / DECEMBER 2003 / POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE

INTRODUCTION TO THE SYMPOSIUM. By Michael D. Jensen, MD
EVALUATION OF OBESITY: Who are the obese? By George A. Bray, MD
FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN WEIGHT CONTROL: Molecular and genetic discoveries pave the way. By Daniel H. Bessesen, MD

Obesity has become one of the most common conditions seen by primary care physicians. Despite the frequency with which physicians see this disorder, however, few medical schools have a comprehensive obesity curriculum, and most residencies do not include specific obesity training. Perhaps because of these problems, only a limited number of practicing physicians focus on obesity, and an even smaller group rigorously apply the latest scientific knowledge to its interventions.

To address some of the misperceptions surrounding the science and treatment of obesity, we present this two-part, four-article symposium. The articles are written by physician-scientists who are members of the Centers for Obesity Research and Education, one of the education programs of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO). NAASO is the only professional society founded on the basis of enhancing scientific understanding of obesity and applying the scientifically obtained insights to obesity education and management.

In the first article, Dr George A. Bray provides an overview of the evaluation of the obese patient. His discussion tackles the issues surrounding body mass index and waist circumference and describes the more sophisticated methods for measuring body composition as well. Dr Bray also reviews the many factors that can contribute to weight gain.

In the second article, Dr Daniel H. Bessesen presents a sample of research advances in body weight regulation and the underlying physiology and mechanisms of feeding behavior. Such advances may lead to better and more specific pharmacologic interventions for the treatment of recalcitrant obesity.

The next two articles will be published in the January issue and will focus on obesity management. In the first article, Drs Holly R. Wyatt and James O. Hill will explore the appropriate use of pharmacotherapy for selected patients. They will address the risk-benefit component of such treatments and how the currently available agents can work as an adjunct to lifestyle changes.

In the final article, Dr Rebecca Mattison and I will cover the appropriate role for bariatric surgery in selected overweight patients. We will look at the surgical options and their effectiveness, differentiating which procedure works best for which patients.

Together, the articles in this symposium illustrate the wealth of research being conducted on the environmental, behavioral, and biochemical causes of obesity. As a result of these efforts, physicians can look forward to more and better interventions that can be tailored to treating obesity in individual patients. We hope that these articles will stimulate interest in our readers to learn more about obesity and its management.

RETURN TO DECEMBER 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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